Trump, FLOTUS Suprise Rush Limbaugh by Awarding Him the Medal of Freedom at the SOTU

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump presented the Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian awards, to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh during the State of the Union address.

Limbaugh announced Monday on his radio show, "The Rush Limbaugh Show" — a radio show that he has hosted for 31 years — that he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and has started treatment for it.

"Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness," Trump said at the State of the Union address, adding, "Here tonight is a special man, someone beloved by millions of Americans who just received a Stage 4 advanced cancer diagnosis."

"Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our Nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

Trump continued, "I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honor."

Watch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtGZUskfE_8&feature=emb_title

Limbaugh being presented with the award stirred up mixed reactions, including a lot of disapproval on Twitter for the president's decision to do so.

https://twitter.com/MZHemingway/status/1224888414899789824

https://twitter.com/LEBassett/status/1224888965561507842

https://twitter.com/ASharon004/status/1224897366991482881

https://twitter.com/joelockhart/status/1224831273450995715

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1224948346529501184

Other moments of the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening that caused a lot of reactions on social media include the moment Trump appeared to snub a handshake by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the House Speaker ripping up Trump's speech at the end of the address.

Additionally, the president touched on the topics of the U.S. stock market , as well as health care and military members .